The Unseen Struggle of Canada's Rugby Women

While Canada's iconic women’s hockey players are gearing up for the Winter Olympics with funding aplenty, Olivia Apps and her teammates on the Canadian women's rugby team are facing a starkly different reality as they head into the Rugby World Cup in England.

Ranked second in the world, the rugby team is still on the path of crowdfunding to support their journey, highlighting the stark disparities between sports in Canada. "It’s just frustrating to be in this position," Apps expressed, questioning how a top-ranked team still finds itself scrambling for funds.

Fundraising Success and Team Spirit

Despite these hurdles, the team's crowdfunding campaign has made remarkable strides, achieving 95% of its $1 million goal to cover training costs. They’ll kick off their tournament against Fiji, carrying the dual burden of past disappointment and a clear aim to surpass their 2014 World Cup runner-up finish against England.

For players like Taylor Perry, this struggle is not just a financial hurdle but a source of motivation. "Hopefully our kids will look back and say, 'Our moms went through this and still won the World Cup.'"

A Glimpse of Inequality in Women’s Rugby

The financial struggles faced by Canada’s rugby women aren’t unique. While powerhouse teams like England and New Zealand pay their players between $40,000 to $90,000, Canada’s top athletes make at most $12,000 annually. Although the Canadian women's team enjoys pay equity with the men’s squad, the disparity in support is glaring.

Head coach Kévin Rouet acknowledges, "We have equal budgets, but we’re operating on a much smaller scale compared to larger federations, which makes us underfunded."

Rising to the Challenge

Out on the field, the financial strain hasn’t hindered Canada’s performance. The team is unbeaten in seven games since finishing fourth in the last World Cup and has secured 16 wins in 22 matches, including historic victories over France and reigning champions New Zealand.

However, awareness of their achievements remains low in Canada. Their last home match attracted just 11,453 fans—an impressive record for standalone rugby in North America but a shadow of the 58,000 fans who attended a recent England vs. France showdown.

A Shift in Public Perception

Claire Gallagher, a member of Canada’s squad playing in England, notes the stark difference in recognition and support for rugby. "In England, rugby players are treated like celebrities; here in Canada, it’s not quite the same," she said.

Nevertheless, the tide is slowly turning, especially after the women’s sevens team clinched silver in the Paris Olympics last year, playing in front of over 66,000 spectators, setting a record for global women’s rugby events.

A Bright Future Ahead?

With their No. 2 world ranking and a recent win in the Pacific Four series, Canada is finally gaining international recognition. As anticipation builds for the Rugby World Cup, experts speculate whether the Canadians might surprise the world, even amid heavyweight competition.

Players like captain Alex Tessier are savoring the newfound attention, understanding the pressure it brings. "So, the No. 4 in the world, she can’t disappoint us at the World Cup," Rouet joked, foreshadowing the high stakes ahead.

The World Awaits: A Changing Landscape of Women’s Rugby

Over 350,000 tickets have already been sold for the tournament, twice the total sales from three years ago. This surge in interest has prompted World Rugby to expand the tournament from 12 to 16 teams for the first time in over two decades.

Former men’s fly half Gareth Rees endorsed the women's game, emphasizing its attractively swift playstyle and heightened engagement. With a mix of seasoned players and newcomers, Canada is poised to make waves.

Rouet, reflecting on his previous World Cup experience, acknowledges the importance of trusting his entire squad to avoid burnout. Canada’s journey kicks off against Fiji, and fans can’t wait to see how they fare in this World Cup, with all eyes on the field.